Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

King Abdullah transforms National Guard into ministry

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah arrives at the opening ceremony of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in Mecca August 14, 2012. Reuters

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, yesterday issued a royal decree transforming the Saudi National Guard Presidency into the Ministry of the National Guard.

King Abdullah appointed Prince Miteb bin Abdullah as the first minister of the National Guard.

Prince Miteb took the oath of office before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at his palace in Jeddah on Monday.

He said, “I swear by God almighty to be faithful to the religion, and then to our King and homeland, reveal no secrets of the state, and protect its interests and regulations, and that I will perform my work with the utmost truthfulness, honesty, and sincerity.”

The King congratulated Prince Miteb on his appointment, and the new minister of the National Guard thanked King Abdullah for the royal trust that has been placed in him.

Prince Miteb said: “It is my pleasure, in my own name and on behalf of all my civilian and military colleagues in the National Guard, to thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the royal trust that has been bestowed on me.”

Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities. Launched in London in 1978, Asharq Al-Awsat has established itself as the decisive publication on pan-Arab and international affairs, offering its readers in-depth analysis and exclusive editorials, as well as the most comprehensive coverage of the entire Arab world.